Labbadia: "We need points!"

At the official pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s crucial Bundesliga trip to Mainz on Saturday (30.04.16, 3.30 PM), Rothosen boss Bruno Labbadia told the gathered media his expectations from the game selection woes and the chances for second string players that arise when first team regulars are unavailable for selection.

Bruno Labbadia looked a little surprised as he entered the media room at the Volksparkstadion on Thursday afternoon (28.04) and saw around 50 “budding reporters” in the form of school kids waiting to pepper him with questions. They were there as part of the annual Girls- & Boys-Day. The kids asked questions like:

"What is a typical day like for you as a Bundesliga coach?" or "Who is your favourite HSV player?" and:

"What do you think of Pierre-Michel Lasogga?" Some tough but also timeless questions which Labbadia was glad to answer. Apart from the kids, the media had also gathered to hear him answer their question about the here and now and of course the impending trip to Mainz.

RECOMMENDED SURE BET:

SOCCER PREDICTIONS FOR FRIDAY 29-04-2016

FRANCE LIGUE2:

Creteil - AC Ajaccio              X-10min

Lens - Paris Fc98                   1X

FRANCE LIGUE1:

PSG - Stade Rennais             1WIN

AUSTRIA Erste Liga:

Austria Klagenfurt - LASK Linz    2WIN

BELARUS Vysshaya League:

FC Belshina Bobruisk - FC BATE Borisov                       2WIN

FC Dinamo Minsk - Slutsksakhar Slutsk               1WIN & Under (4.5)

FC Shakhter Soligorsk - Naftan Novopolotsk        1 & Under (4.5)

PORTUGAL Primeira Liga:

Benfica - V. Guimaraes        1WIN & Over(2.5)

BULGERIA A PFG:

Ludogorets – Montana         1WIN

CHILE Primera Division, Clausura:

Huachipato - U. de Chile                  Over(1.5) GOAL

ENGLISH Championship:

Birmingham City – Middlesbrough            (2:0) 1 H Alternative Handicap

IRELAND Premier Division:

Bohemians Dublin – Dundalk                      2WIN

Derry City - Sligo Rovers                 1X

Cork City - Saint Patrick's Athletic             1X

Galway - Longford Town                1WIN

KUWAIT premier league:  

Qadsia SC - Al Jahra                        1WIN

HOLLAND Eredivisie, Women:

SC Heerenveen - AFC Ajax             2WIN & Over (2.5)

FC Twente Enschede - ADO Den Haag                 GOAL GGOAL

Psv/Fc Eindhoven - PEC Zwolle                  Over(2.5) GOALS

HOLLAND Eerste Divisie:

Stormvogels Telstar – Helmond                   Over(1.5) GOALS

FC Oss – Volendam              Over(1.5) GOALS

Jong Ajax - Den Bosch                     Over(1.5) GOALS

Emmen – Sittard                   Over(1.5) GOALS

Almere - Jong Psv Eindhoven                      Over(1.5) GOALS

Achilles '29 – Venlo               Over(1.5) GOALS

Sparta Rotterdam – Dordrecht       Over(1.5) GOALS

Waalwijk – Maastricht         Over(1.5) GOALS

G.a. Eagles – Breda              Over(1.5) GOALS

SLOVAKIA Slovensky Pohar:

Slovan Bratislava - AS Trencin                   X2

CZECH REPUBLIC SYNOT LIGA:

Jihlava - Mlada Boleslav                   X2 

The HSV boss discussed … 

… the Mainz game: We are very focused on the game. We are very aware that the derby win was yesterday and now we face Mainz. We really want to take points from the game because we are not yet safe – we need points! We go there with fond memories of our trip their last season as a late Gojko Kacar goal secured crucial points for us in a really tough battle. Of course every game is different but we still have that win at the back of our minds.

Because first team strikers are out injured, crowd favourite Ivica Olic is back in contention. The veteran Croatian has made the squad for the matchday 32 clash.

… team selection: As you all know, Nicolai Müller, Pierre-Michel Lasogga and Michael Gregoritsch are missing, but we we don’t have to discuss that fact and certainly not moan about it. We accept the situation the way it is and know that such omissions offer other players a chance to shine. Dennis Diekmeier and Ivo Ilicevic are 50 – 50. Dennis has an adductor problem and also has a cold, whereas as far as Ivi goes we must wait and see how his body reacts to today’s training. We excluded him from training yesterday after consulting club physios.

… Ivica Olic & Nabil Bahoui: We will take Olic with us to Mainz. He has been getting stuck in during training and has recovered from his injury remarkably well. Of course he lacks match practice, but he remains an option. The same goes for Nabil Bahoui. He has many strengths but also certain deficiencies, so we will have to weigh up our options regarding his participation and whether or not it makes sense to play him. Such things depend on the tactical approach of the opposition.

Rene Adler returns between the Rothosen posts from suspension to make his 25th appearance of the season.

… the keeper question: Rene Adler returns to the team following suspension. It is never easy to make such decisions because it is tough for Drobo who replaced Adler well in the derby win. The position of keeper is a very special one and we go with Adler despite having give Drobo a good run of games during the season.
... a chance for the second string: No players have been dropped from the squad which I believe is a strength of ours. Last season we gave chances to players who has been written off by some people. Some of them didn’t have a contract to play this season. Artjoms Rudnevs is a good example who took his chance well. Every player knows that doors that suddenly open can close just as quickly.

... young hopefuls: Should things become very tight we will of course be taking a group of youngstres with us to Mainz. Full back Seo will train with us today as will Kerim Carolus, who has been doing so for some time. There is however sad news regarding Finn Porath who requires surgery on a bone injury. It is a bitter blow for the lad who will receive our full support in order to get him fit again for pre-season training ahead of the new season.

CREDIT TO:http://www.hsv.de/en/season/meldungen/bundesliga/april-2014/labbadia-we-need-points/